I understand there's levels to it and it's worth it for Soto. The teams that are vying for him also have major holes elsewhere. If the Yankees for example only needed Soto, no questions asked, but they got pitching issues, starting and bullpen. Their SS sucks and they'd be theoretically be trading any hope of a replacement for IKF.
The Mets on the other hand need to grab the city by the throat. Soto on the Mets would cancel out not getting A-Rod in 2000.
I get why you think the Mets should but you're talking about holes at multiple positions that would get exposed very quickly (since we'd have to trade prospects that are almost ready to take those) and a bunch of free agents in the pen and the starting rotation. Can't get like the Dodgers til you first build like the Dodgers.
To me, a team like the Mariners, Cardinals and Padres are in a good position to make the move. I don't know what the Nationals want but the Cardinals can make a package of Carlson and Jordan Walker (blocked by Arenado) and some lower level prospects and get the deal done. They already have youth at multiple positions and I feel like they make dudes like Carlson in a lab.
I also think Scott Boras definitely wants him to hit the free agent market
hence why I feel like the Mets should wait lol.